The state government’s assurance to provide 24×7 water supply to the residents of Goa is likely to remain a pipe dream, with Chief Secretary Mr. Punit Kumar Goel flagging significant difficulties in achieving this goal.
The date for providing 24×7 water supply in the state has been constantly shifting, adding to the uncertainty surrounding this promise of the government.
Previously, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had stated that residents would get continuous water supply by 2018. However, in 2019, the then chief minister had admitted that it was not possible until 2025.
Speaking at a conference organised in Panaji on Tuesday by the Consulate General of Finland, which is seeking collaboration with the state government on sustainable water management solutions, the chief secretary was sceptical about realising the ambitious target of providing continuous water supply anytime soon.
“It’s a dream of every Goan to have 24×7 water supply although we bring in technology, development and upgradation in water treatment plants, distribution networks, and storage tanks,” Goel said. “But we need to introduce the concept of distinct meters, starting with fitment in selected areas, check the quantity of water distributed and consumed, and match the figures,” he said.
The chief secretary further emphasised the need for water metering and management systems for distribution and consumption purposes, an area where collaboration with Finland could be explored.
Recalling his experience with the Delhi Jal Board, Goel said, “When I was working at Delhi Jal Board, we studied the Manila model of how the Philippines introduced tariff rationalisation and provided its residents 24×7 water supply. People should pay for water and only then will scarcity reduce. A lot of techniques and management skills are required.”
He also highlighted the pressing issues of leakages and maintenance of pipes, acknowledging that unless people pay for water, proper maintenance will not be possible.
Goel proposed an Internet of Things (IoT) project for real-time monitoring of water supply by collaborating with public sector undertakings (PSUs) for installing sensors and valves in the water treatment plants, an area where Finland’s expertise could be used, he said.
Addressing the water sourcing scenario, Goel said, “We get 96% of the water from surface sources and 4% from the ground, but we want to reduce the dependence on groundwater to 2%.”
Regarding sewage management, he said Goa currently covers only 19% of the area, with a target of reaching 28%. However, most of Goa comes under panchayat areas, which are reluctant to become urban, thus posing a challenge in extending sewage management to each household.
Goel also highlighted the difficulty in laying supply line networks in congested areas like Panaji, an area where Finland’s experience could be beneficial, he said.
Dr. Antti Herlevi, a senior specialist from the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, shared Finland’s water expertise, citing the country’s abundance of forests and water resources as well as its top rankings in areas such as happiness, waste water treatment and digitalisation.
“Nearly 100% of the supplied water is covered with fees. We pay 100 times more than what you pay in Goa. 98.99% of the water is of top quality and 87% of the surface water quality is the best,” Dr. Herlevi said.
He emphasised the importance of engaging society and communities, working together through governance, regulation, education, planning, technology, maintenance and management.
Dr. Herlevi also mentioned about the creation of the Indo-Nordic Water Forum, a network aimed at fostering collaboration between Indian and European institutions and executing development projects in India.
Several Finnish water-related companies operating in India were also highlighted, covering areas such as smart water metering, solid waste and plastic oil recovery, shipping ports, water treatment, forestry industry and consulting services related to water issues.
As Goa grapples with the elusive goal of providing 24×7 water supply to its residents, the state government’s collaboration with Finland could potentially pave the way for sustainable solutions and effective water management strategies.
Source: https://bit.ly/3QbW5jp
Image credit: The Nav Hind Times
